Mobility News
Shane Snider
CRN takes a look at some of the coolest tech gear for this school year as consumers drop a record amount of cash on back-to-school and back-to-college supplies.
It’s that time of year again: whether you’re a grade-schooler or a college student, back-to-school shopping will have parents across the country hunting for the latest gadgets to help their kids get though another year of learning.
Gone are the days of a simple trip to the store for a Trapper Keeper and a box of No. 2 pencils. Gen Z is a little more demanding in the tech department. According to Statista, combined spending for college and back-to-school shopping will spike to a new record of $110.8 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion over 2021 spending. The average expected back-to-school spending for U.S. consumers aged 35-44 is $1,007.69, according to the report. Inflation is driving that overall spend number up 8 percent, the report said. Total spending has trended upwards yearly since 2007, when the total U.S. spend for college and back-to-school was pegged at $50 billion.
“Families consider back-to-school and college items as an essential category, and they are taking whatever steps they can… in order to purchase what they need for the upcoming school year,” National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. “The back-to-school season is among the most significant shopping events for consumers and retailers alike, second only to the winter holiday season.”
With COVID-19 shutdowns forcing students of all ages home during the height of the pandemic, students were immersed in a world of high-tech remote learning. The younger generation is becoming immersed in technology at a faster clip than previous generations. So it makes sense that 2022 would entice parents and kids to enhance their back-to-school shopping.
CRN has you covered with this handy list of cool gadgets to make the back-to-school experience better:
* Soundance Laptop Stand
* AFROG Multifunctional LED Desk Lamp
* Echo Dot
* InCase Bionic Accessories Organizer
* Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard
* MacBook Air M1
* Lenovo Chromebook Duet
* Beats Studio Buds
* Jall Wake-up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock
* Backbone One-Mobile gaming controller
* Fitbit Ace 3
* Apple AirTag (four-pack)
* Q Timex Reissue Digital Watch
* Anker 313 Wireless Charger
* Kindle Paperwhite
* Nintendo Switch Lite
* Lenovo Smart Clock
* Roku Streaming Stick
* iSwift 6-in-1 portable Desk
* Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
Shane Snider
